Wednesday Words
The concrete is better than the abstract. The detail is better than the commonplace. The sensual [through the sense] is better than the intellect. The visual is better than the mental.
-Ellen Hunnicutt
I’ve had a writing coach say, more than once, “show me”. Giving that extra detail with strong adjectives, precise descriptions and seductive words is what draws our readers in. Try the exercise of reducing your word count. Pull out unnecessary words and see if there is a more concise way to say the same thing. My natural inclination is to write in a flowing, wordy manner; I have to make a conscious effort to keep sentences clear and concise. By rephrasing a sentence, there is a more logical flow of the words that often enhances my original meaning.
Where you write and who you write for, or to, will dictate your style of writing. Flowery language isn’t appropriate for a technical writing article but necessary when writing about women’s lingerie. Think about your target audience. I have several blog clients, with unique subject matter. From lingerie to pond supplies, each topic requires a slightly different focus and usage of words. The challenge for me as a writer in this venue is to transition between client projects, quickly and efficiently. The same can be said of blogging or literary writing. Find your voice, write your best ‘product’, and sit back to see what happens.
What’s your biggest writing challenge?
My biggest writing challenge is continuing to write, to focus when I am feeling depressed.
Right there with you today.. can’t get clear enough to write. I’m going to try a little abstract free writing and see if it helps.
I also need to concentrate on being succinct (Amusingly, I revised that sentence a few times). I refer to my Thesaurus (or Thesaurus.com) often to find that perfect word.
My biggest challenge? Knowing when to walk away from a piece. I can get caught up in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture. When I realize that I’m doing it, I force myself to leave the laptop, go perform some needed household task (dishes are a standard), and then when I return to the piece, I’m refreshed and have a little more objectivity.
I do the same thing.. somehow a little distance helps.
Succinct is the perfect word..
You really are helping us “newbies” out…Thankis so much for all the tips you have posting lately!
Well, thanks. They’re sometimes instructions for myself as for other readers, if truth be told.
I think as I write – and include everything (to ensure the reader ‘gets’ the whole story)!! Fine when writing to a good friend, but no one else wants to know the detail. I find it sometimes actually ‘hurts’ to have to edit, but a tight, elegant result is always satisfying. If I ever write an autobiography I will indulge the flow, as though writing a letter to myself.
Is that autobiography in the wings? I think it would be fascinating!